Iowa Code Title XI. Natural Resources [Chs. 455-485] § 468.3. Definitions

1. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the term “adjusted competitive bid threshold” means the same as the adjusted competitive bid threshold for vertical infrastructure applicable to counties as established by the state department of transportation pursuant to section 314.1B.

2. The term “appraisers” shall mean the persons appointed and qualified to ascertain the value of all land taken and the amount of damage arising from the construction of levee or drainage improvements.

3. Within the meaning of this subchapter, parts 1 through 5 and 7, and subchapter II, part 1, the term “board” shall embrace the board of supervisors, the joint boards of supervisors in case of intercounty levee or drainage districts, and the board of trustees in case of a district under trustee management.

4. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, “book”, “list”, “record”, or “schedule” kept by a county auditor, assessor, treasurer, recorder, sheriff, or other county officer means the county system as defined in section 445.1.

5. The term “commissioners” shall mean the persons appointed and qualified to classify lands, fix percentages of benefits, apportion and assess costs and expenses in any levee or drainage district, unless otherwise specifically indicated by law.

6. The term “cost of improvements” means the costs of any improvement which is subject to special assessment including, but not limited to, the costs of engineering, preliminary reports, property valuations, estimates, plans, specifications, notices, acquisition of land, easements, rights-of-way, construction, repair, supervision, inspection, testing, notices and publication, interest during construction and for a reasonable period following the completion of construction, and may include the default fund which shall amount to not more than ten percent of the total cost of an improvement assessed against benefited property.

6A. As used in this chapter, the term “culvert” includes a drain, tile, or tile line.

7. The term “engineer” or “civil engineer”, within the meaning of this subchapter, parts 1 through 5 and 7, subchapter II, parts 1, 4, 5, and 6, and subchapter V, shall mean a person licensed as a professional engineer under the provisions of chapter 542B.

8. The term “land surveyor” shall mean a person licensed as a professional land surveyor under the provisions of chapter 542B.

9. For the purpose of this subchapter, parts 1 through 5 and 7, and with reference to improvements along or adjacent to the Missouri river, the word “levee” shall be construed to include, in addition to its ordinary and accepted meaning, embankments, revetments, retards, or any other approved system of construction which may be deemed necessary to adequately protect the banks of any river or stream, within or adjacent to any county, from wash, cutting, or erosion.